Hamstring Pain

Hamstrings are a group of three muscles. When a person experiences a hamstring strain, one of the three muscles may tear or become strained. Physical activities that require a great amount of jumping, running, starting, and stopping may strain the hamstrings. So, athletes who participate in sports such as basketball, football, and soccer are at greater risk. Runners and skaters are also high-risk populations.

It is important to stretch before exercise to prevent a hamstring strain to help loosen tight muscles. Strengthening the gluteal muscles can also help prevent a strain of the hamstrings. A person with a hamstrings strain may experience, bruising, tenderness, and sudden or severe pain in the lower butt and back of thigh. The pain from a hamstrings strain may make it difficult for a person to walk. If the strain is not severe and does not require surgery, a hamstrings strain can be treated through the RICE method as well as stretching and strengthening exercises.